Homer: Iliad Book III

One of the most diverse books in the Iliad, Book III moves between intimate scenes in the heart of Troy and scenes serious and comic on the battlefield. It describes a major ritual in an elaborate oath-swearing, assigns a major role to divine intervention, introduces and characterises the main Trojan actors and reveals more about their Greek counterparts. The commentary discusses the styles of Homeric narrative, illustrating especially its economy and sophisticated handling of different time-scales. It situates the Iliad in its broad cultural and historical contexts, through consideration of the relationships between Greece and the Anatolian, Mesopotamian and ancient Indian cultures, particularly regarding shared story-patterns and ritual activity. An account is given of Troy's relationships with the Hittite empire and the vexed question of the historicity of the Trojan War. Also provided is a full historical account of Homeric language. The edition will be indispensable for students and instructors.

• Provides comprehensive coverage of linguistic, sociological and archaeological features, as well as a clear account of Homeric metre and the creation of the text
• Gives a clear and accessible account of the relevant Near Eastern and Indo-European cultural features to show how Homer fits into the cultural milieu of his time, and discusses the historicity of the Trojan War
• Discusses the styles of Homeric narrative, illustrating especially its economy and sophistication